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Monday, January 27, 2014

Honda Cars Philippines officially launched the 2014 Accord, the latest car to wear a storied nameplate known for sophistication, efficiency, and driving joy in the executive sedan segment. Completely new from the ground up, the all-new Accord provides a host of powertrain, engineering, electronic and safety firsts combined with Honda’s trademark smart design and sporty handling.
The all-new Accord wears a crisply-styled and aerodynamically-efficient body made of over 55 percent high-tensile steel—the most in the model’s history, contributing to higher body rigidity and reduced weight, which directly benefits ride and handling, interior quietness, performance and efficiency and long-term durability.

With its contoured sides, the Accord’s exterior is sleek, bold, and decisive. Sporty and athletic 225/50R17 fills in all four corners. Aside from increased dynamism, the Accord also makes use of extensive underbody covers that help improve aerodynamics even further. In addition, the Accord features advanced technology such as LED on the headlights, tail lights, and daytime running lights (DRL). Mirror-mounted turn signals complete the look.

Better, not bigger, the all-new Accord wears a slightly smaller body with an overall length (in mm) of 4,890 (-56), overall width of 1,850 (+5), and overall height of 1,465 (-11); even the wheelbase has gone down slightly to 2,775 mm (-5). However, despite the reduction in size, the Accord is more spacious than ever thanks to intelligent interior packaging. For example, front and rear shoulder room has increased, while rear legroom has grown more than inch (25.4 mm). The trunk is also larger with a flatter load floor for greater utility.

The interior provides a level of luxury and craftsmanship never before seen in an Accord. It’s altogether stylish and upscale with high-quality materials, exemplary fit and finish, and advanced with unparalleled seating comfort and ergonomics. The cabin combines welcoming comfort with its wood grain paneling with an impressive range of technologies starting with the one-push ignition system. Other key features include the trademark Intelligent-Multi-information Display (i-MID) with an 8-inch screen, powered driver and front passenger seat, automatic on/off headlights, rain-sensing wipers (V6), dual zone climate control with rear vents, sunroof (V6) and power rear sunshade. The all-new Accord also features a wealth of infotainment options with a full-featured integrated sound system with 6 speakers. The V6 model gets a standard subwoofer plus a hands-free Bluetooth system with audio streaming capabilities. Despite the increase in standard equipment, the all-new Accord promises a greatly simplified and easier to use driving environment than ever before thanks to interface concepts such as the touch panel and multi-function steering wheel controls.

As with previous Accord generations, the all-new model is available with two gasoline engines in either 4- or 6-cylinder configurations. The differences is both engines are all-new and is Honda’s first application of their new Earth Dreams engine promising improved fuel economy without any compromises to performance. The new 2.4-liter 4-cylinder has 174 horsepower and 225 Nm of torque while the 3.5-liter V6 with revised VTEC and VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) has 278 horsepower and 342 Nm of torque. The 4-cylinder engine is mated to a 5-speed automatic while the V6 has a 6-speed automatic. Both transmissions offer Grade Logic, Direct Control, and Shift Hold system.

Putting all that power on the road is the responsibility of the Accord’s all-new suspension system which is designed to create the best possible driving experience. Together with the highly-rigid body, the Accord’s chassis is the most capable ever making it quieter and more responsive on city streets, more composed on highways, and even more faithful to the driver’s wishes on winding roads. The all-new Accord features a light-weight front MacPherson Strut suspension (the first Accord to do so) that improves ride and handling qualities while reducing interior noise, vibration, and harshness. The new aluminum and steel front subframe reduces weight even further. At the back, the multi-link rear suspension is tuned for a smoother, quieter ride. The V6 model has the added benefit of Active Control Engine Mounts for even better NVH. The Accord’s new electric power steering is calibrated to reduce steering effort at low speeds and improved precision, feel, and stability at high speeds.

Finally, the all-new Honda Accord offers the greatest range of active and passive safety features in Honda’s history. Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with Hill Start Assist (HAS) and parking sensors are standard on all models, while a slew of new technology such as Active Cornering Lights (ACL) and Multi-View reverse camera with dynamic guidelines. In terms of passive safety, the Accord comes equipped with an array of intelligent airbags (4 in the 4-cylinder, 6 in the 6-cylinder) as well as an updated ACE body structure that improves occupancy protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions.

The all-new Honda Accord is in two variants, the 2.4 S that retails for P 1,720,000 and the 3.5 SV that goes for P 2,097,000. It’s available in a range of 5 colors: Alabaster Silver Metallic (2.4 S only), Carnelian Red Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, and White Orchid Pearl which adds P 20,000.

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Unfortunately, no cruise control :-( I think Honda needs to fit the rest of the safety suite found in the Thai Accord such as the automated braking system and BLIS in order to get the cruise control. The cruise control is an adaptive type and requires the cameras to actually work :-( I wanted the Accord to have those safety tech...that would have made them a segment leader, actually.